Parmigiani Fleurier
With the return of an old favourite that ignites the same enthusiasm as its launch in 1996, the Toric makes a striking comeback with the addition of the Petite Seconde model. This revival is more than just a remake; it pays homage to the fluidity of contemporary design, epitomising a luxurious and tranquil vision where technical prowess seamlessly blends with refined aesthetics.
The new Toric is hailed as a timepiece that marries performance and beauty to exude a serene and calm elegance. The case design showcases pure minimalism, devoid of sharp angles or protrusions, exuding a sense of fluid softness viewed from every angle.
Pioneered by Parmigiani Fleurier, the distinctive case design of the Toric Petite Seconde extends seamlessly into the bracelet and throughout the dial and function display. More than just a timepiece, the Toric collection embodies a harmonious aesthetic that balances every facet of its design.
Upon closer inspection, the Toric dials reveal a unique characteristic — they are not perfectly flat but rather chevé. Their edges gently slope downward to meet the inner case surface, creating a distinct level difference. This “chevé” technique draws inspiration from the craftsmanship of watch glasses, an ancient traditional method. The glass is meticulously shaped to conform to the specific contours of the watch case. In contrast to flat or slightly domed glasses, bevelled glasses are curved or rounded to align with the watch case’s shape harmoniously. This vintage-inspired aesthetic harkens back to the design style of the 1960s.
Other design elements are inspired by the graceful architectural lines of Doric columns and the geometric charm of the torus, this collection has retained its robust identity since its establishment in 1996. Doric columns, originating in ancient Greece, epitomise a style of classical architecture known for its simplicity and strength. The design reflects the torus as a three-dimensional shape reminiscent of a doughnut or inner tube. Despite its evolution, one enduring hallmark remains constant: the knurled bezel, now a recognised feature across Parmigiani Fleurier collections.
Crafted in rose gold, the new engine of the Toric Petite Seconde is a marvel of modern horology subtly integrated into the watch. Three expansive surfaces in 18ct rose gold serve as bridges, arranged in a pristine geometric layout. Only the two barrels and the regulating mechanism are visible, accentuating an unprecedented architectural perspective adorned with Côtes de Fleurier on the large bridges juxtaposed with a sandblasted plate.
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This architectural marvel pays homage to watchmaking tradition within a contemporary minimalist framework, serving as a defining style element of the timepiece. Designed for manual winding, the movement of the Toric Petite Seconde underscores a refined elegance that resonates through its delicate rewinding finesse and the tactile allure it evokes with each interaction.
TAG Heuer
In summary, TAG Heuer unveils three exquisite timepieces from the Carrera collection at Watches and Wonders, each with distinct feminine elegance. These latest additions to the Carrera family usher in a new era in this collection, with three unique and sophisticated designs that radiate a charm, making it a suitable watch to be worn for any occasion and whatever life and style you lead. TAG Heuer Carrera Date features three 36mm timepieces that are renowned for their design and comfort, and this is a continuation of the success of the 36mm model launched in 2023.
Let us delve deeper into the intricate details of these three exceptional watches.
The first timepiece showcases a copper dial with a finely brushed snailed finish in elegant nude tones, transitioning from light brown to beige, creating a timepiece suitable for everyday use. The steel case, with a meticulous alternate finishing, highlights exceptional craftsmanship. To finish the look, the watch has an 18K 5N rose gold bezel and crown, and 18K 5N rose gold plating on the indexes, hands and logo.
The second watch is an ethereal beauty with a white mother-of-pearl dial with a gradient track in soothing nude tones, fading from light brown to beige. The steel case has an alternate finish and provides a canvas for the 18K 5N rose gold-plated indexes, hands and logo. Enhanced with a signature diamond flange, embellished with 76 dazzling diamonds totalling 0.288cts, this timepiece sparkles with great beauty.
The third timepiece boasts a mother-of-pearl dial with a gradient track in nude tones, from light brown to beige, that sits within a steel case that is meticulously finished. Adorned with diamond-set chatons indexes and 11 diamonds totalling 0.22cts, the watch is an everyday luxury timepiece. The 18K5N rose gold crown and bezel, with the 18K 5N rose gold-plated hands and logo, is for the sophisticated woman. The signature diamond flange, embellished with 76 diamonds totalling 0.288cts, completes this opulent look.
These three exquisite timepieces epitomise timeless femininity at its best, available with the new and enhanced tapered Carrera H bracelet in steel or steel and 18K 5N rose gold.
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Vacheron Constantin
Some watches have the power to captivate you, causing you to pause and admire their beauty. One such timepiece is the Les Cabinotiers — The Berkley Grand Complication, which is hailed as one of the world’s most intricate watches.
At the heart of this masterpiece lies a Chinese perpetual calendar programmed until the year 2200, featuring an astounding 63 horological complications and 2,877 components. This groundbreaking watch showcases a Chinese perpetual calendar with a complex and irregular cycle, expertly managed by the in-house Calibre 3752. The creation of this timepiece involved 11 years of rigorous research and development, spearheaded by three dedicated watchmakers and the commissioner, who also played a pivotal role in crafting the Reference 57260 in 2015.
The Les Cabinotiers — The Berkley Grand Complication stands as the first watch to present a perpetual calendar with all the intricate calculations, patience, ingenuity and deep understanding of Chinese culture that this entails. The meticulous design process started with constructing algorithms to model the calendar, followed by its intricate transposition into a mechanism programmed to anticipate irregularities until 2200. This mechanism adeptly follows the nuances of a calendar characterised by varying lengths of years, lunar months and an ever-shifting first day of the year.
To achieve this remarkable feat, the innovative trio devised three mechanical “brains” capable of orchestrating the cams and gears within one of the movement’s additional mechanisms located on the front side. Essentially, each “brain” manages different components of the calendar, including the lunar cycle, solar cycle and the Metonic cycle, prominently displayed on the 3 o’clock counter.
In a remarkable display of technical prowess, Vacheron Constantin’s skilled watchmakers incorporated a disc-type presentation showcasing the precise date of the Chinese New Year, despite its variable nature between Jan 21 and Feb 21. This intricate feature underscores yet another milestone achievement, as it accurately reflects this culturally significant and ever-shifting date.
The watch’s front face predominantly focuses on the various indicators of the traditional Chinese calendar. Navigating through this complex system involves determining whether the current year is normal or embolismic, the type of lunar month (short or long), and essential indications displayed in Chinese characters. Additional features include a pointer-style date display at the 6 o’clock counter, along with aperture-type details indicating the day at 8 o’clock and the month at 4 o’clock.
Zenith
You are invited to reach for the stars and pursue your dreams, with our current dream watch being the new Defy Skyline Chronograph.
To truly appreciate this timepiece, it is essential to trace back the legacy of the Defy collection of wristwatches, known for its enduring tradition of El Primero chronographs dating back to the early 1970s.
The El Primero calibre, renowned for its precision and high-frequency rate, makes it the perfect choice for an automatic chronograph, ensuring accuracy even in dynamic and animated settings. The new Defy Skyline Chronograph, the culmination of over 50 years of chronograph evolution, embodies the essence of a 21st-century Defy chronograph — a true testament to progress. This masterpiece boasts a designed geometric form with faceted aesthetics, housed within a 42mm steel case that pays homage to the original Defy’s iconic octagonal case with a multi-sided bezel.
While retaining the robustness and durability DNA of its predecessors, the Defy Skyline Chronograph introduces a modern edge with pushers and screw-down crown, adorned with the iconic star emblem, and has a water-resistance of 100 metres (10 atm).
Available in metallic black, blue, or silver options, the dial of the Defy Skyline Chronograph combines the distinctive starry sky-patterned dial with engraved four-pointed stars and the traditional El Primero dial layout. Featuring three slightly oversized and overlapping counters displaying elapsed seconds, minutes of the chronograph and constant running seconds, the dial also includes a date window positioned at 4.30 — a signature El Primero detail. The flange ring with a 1/10th of a second scale, the dodecagonal bezel, and the hour markers form a cohesive design.
In a fast-paced world where every second matters, Zenith’s expertise shines through the Defy Skyline Chronograph, housing a 1/10th of a second chronograph function powered by the El Primero 3600 calibre. This high-frequency movement operates at 5Hz (36,000 vibrations per hour), visible through the transparent case back, complemented by a star-shaped oscillating weight and a 60-hour power reserve.
A standout feature of the Defy Skyline is its integrated quick strap-change mechanism, enabling versatility without the need for tools. By simply pushing a button, you can interchange the three-link steel bracelet with the included star-patterned rubber strap featuring a steel folding buckle.
